Benzene and Acute Myelogenous Leukemia

Benzene is a carcinogen that can be found in many different products that are created from coal and petroleum. Not only can benzene affect you through the air you breathe, but also if it comes in contact with your skin.

Benzene is used in the manufacturing of many different products, including:

Chemicals

Detergents

Pesticides

Plastics

Rubber

Coal

Petroleum (Oil)

Gasoline

Other Fuels

Benzene can poison your body, and exposure to it should be very limited. If you are working in an area with benzene for a long period of time, the maximum safe level of benzene in the air is 1 part per million (ppm). Even if you are only exposed to benzene for a short period of time, the maximum safe level is only 5 benzene ppm.

Benzene is used in the manufacturing of many different products; it can be identified by a few different names:

Pyrobenzol

Phene

Coal Naptha

Polystream

Benzol

Benzol 90

Workers in oil companies and other places that use benzene in the manufacturing of products have developed and died from serious diseases like Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML).

AML is a disease that develops as a result of a defect in the bone marrow’s immature blood cells. Although the cause of AML is not known, the disease has been linked to exposure to benzene.

A healthy person creates new blood cells in their bone marrow. Blood is composed of three different types of cells: red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. If a person has AML, then their bone marrow does not create enough healthy blood cells.

The bone marrow of a person with AML creates too many blast cells, or immature white blood cells, and as a result, the bone marrow does not produce the necessary matured, healthy red blood cells, platelets, or white blood cells.

AML is a very serious disease, and it should be treated as soon as possible. Symptoms of AML include:

Too Few Platelets

Bleeding Easily (nose bleeds or swollen, bleeding gums)

Bruising Easily

Pin-head Sized Dots Under the Skin (Petechiae)

Cuts Heal Too Slowly

Cuts Don’t Heal

Too Few Red Blood Cells

Pale Skin

Tired Feeling

Shortness of Breath

Weight Loss

Weakness

Too Few White Blood Cells

Feverous

Bone Pain

Increased Infections

Sore Throat

Joint Pain

Abnormal Menstruation

If you are suffering from any of the above symptoms and think you have been exposed to benzene, you should have a doctor evaluate your condition as soon as possible. Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML) is also known as:

Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Acute Granulocytic Leukemia

Acute Nonlymphocytic Leukemia (ANLL)

AML is a potentially life threatening disease; if you believe that you have developed AML as a result of exposure to benzene at work, then you may be able to hold your workplace liable for your injuries and medical bills.

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